Lou Lee Penny

Smithfield, NC: Mrs. Lou Lee Penny, age 94, of Lake Park Circle passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. Funeral Services will be 3:00PM Saturday, May 20, 2023 at the Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson. Officiating will be Revs. Danny Stephenson and Roger Korsten. Entombment will follow in Roselawn Cemetery in Benson. The family will receive friends from 2:00PM to 2:45PM, prior to the service at Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson.

Lou is survived by daughter Carolyn (Danny) of Smithfield, North Carolina; grandson Brian Stephenson (Rachel) of Charlotte, North Carolina; great grandsons Noah, Luke and Liam Stephenson of Mooresville, North Carolina; Sister-in-Law, Hazel Lee of Garner, North Carolina; and nieces and nephews: John Sullivan, Mary Herrin, Cathy Godwin, Timmy Penny, Danny Lee and Angela Hensley.

Born April 27, 1929 to Clarence and Fern Lee, she was the older sister to Dan, her beloved baby brother.

She met the love of her life when she was about seven years old.  He pursued her all the days of his life until she finally said yes.  Much to her mama’s dismay, they married October 14, 1951 and were famously “Montana bound”.  We still have the telegram.  The marriage only lasted for seventy years.  The only real threat that we know of was the stolen Pinto situation.  If you don’t know the story, all we can say is that we are pretty sure Daddy never forgave us.  We are also certain that Daddy has been standing at the Gate waiting for Mama since June 8, 2022.  Home at last.

Lou taught so many of you in school, from her first job in Benson, to Home Economics at Cleveland High School (the original), schools in Clayton and Smithfield, and finally a host of fifth graders at Cleveland Elementary, including her grandson, Brian.  And each of you know, no matter how old you are and how much you have changed, the last time she saw you, she knew you by name.  She never forgot a student.  Not a single one.

She was a woman of great faith, and her Bible is well marked.  She has prayed us all through many battles, and we know that her prayers are keeping us even today.  She lived before us and left to us a great legacy strength and courage grounded in faith.

Many thanks to her caregivers in these last years:  Hailey Wood (she loved you more than you know), Pam Kirby and Hilda Thompson.  We are so very grateful for SECU Hospice, and especially Dr. Koffer, Rhonda, April, Diane and the incredible care team at Hospice House.  Ruth, your prayer helped Mom cross the finish line.  All of you truly helped us walk Mama to the last breath here and on to her first breath in Heaven. 

Linda, Bill and Michelle, you were the best neighbors we could have asked for, and we thank you for watching out for her always.   Carolyn and Wade Johnson, thank you for faithfully visiting with Mom every Wednesday.  She cherished her visits with you. 

Mom, what a year it has been, and I wouldn’t trade these moments and memories for anything.  Together, we can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me    the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).  See you on the other side.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Providence Presbyterian Church 14664 NC HWY 210 Angier, NC 27501.

Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson.